REORGANIZATION OF SOMATOSENSORY CORTEX AFTER NERVE AND SPINAL-CORD INJURY

Somatotopic maps in the mature brain reorganize in response to deaffer entation by peripheral nerve cut, amputations, or spinal lesions. Mech anisms underlying these changes may range from altered tonic inhibitio n and synaptic efficacy to neuronal sprouting. An understanding of the se mechanisms could guide interventions that potentiate recovery from such injuries.